Archive – Science

Swiss regain upper hand in time measurement

This content was published on Feb 19, 2003 The unique timepiece measures seconds with extreme precision using lasers and is so accurate it will gain or lose no more than a second every 30 million years. Its creators – a group of physicists at Neuchâtel’s cantonal observatory – say the clock will act as a reference point for measuring international time and play…

Cannabis film to tour Swiss schools

This content was published on Feb 19, 2003 The Swiss Institute for Alcohol and Drug Prevention (SFA) has made a short drama film on the subject for schools across Switzerland. ‘Zoff mit Stoff’ (Trouble with Stuff) tells the story of a school trip which begins in nightmare fashion for one boy, when he leaves his bag – complete with a stash of cannabis…

The Magglingen Declaration

This content was published on Feb 18, 2003 While accepting the diversity of sports, we believe it is a human right and an ideal learning ground for life’s essential skills. We acknowledge the possibilities and values sport offers, and declare that: – Sporting activity can improve people’s physical and mental health at a low cost, and is essential for development. – Making physical…

US students in Switzerland call for peace

This content was published on Feb 16, 2003 swissinfo gauged the mood of a group of American teenagers at an international school in the alpine resort of Leysin. The result was surprising considering a previous poll carried out by swissinfo (see related item), which found that Americans working in Switzerland were divided along party lines over Washington’s policy on Iraq. Americans represent the…

Brainwave technology offers new hope for disabled

This content was published on Feb 15, 2003 Researchers in Switzerland are developing cutting-edge technology that uses human brainwaves to tell computers what to do. Last autumn, scientists at the Dalle Molle Institute for Perceptual Artificial Intelligence (Idiap) in canton Valais began experimenting with ways of harnessing brainwaves via electrodes to send simple commands to a computer. According to director Jean-Albert Ferrez, the…

“King” of Stonehenge may have been Swiss

This content was published on Feb 11, 2003 Archaeologists say that the remains of a wealthy archer – dubbed the King of Stonehenge – found near the site were from the Alps region. Tony Trueman, a Wessex Archaeology spokesman, said tests on the chemical components of the archer’s tooth enamel confirmed that he had come from an area which is most probably modern-day…

Switzerland fails on children’s rights

This content was published on Feb 10, 2003 Children want more of a say at school and within the local community. While 48 per cent of children questioned felt they had a say in family matters, only 39 per cent thought their views mattered at school and just seven per cent at the community level. Reinhard Fatke, an education specialist at the University…

Mountain village digs itself out

This content was published on Feb 8, 2003 swissinfo paid a visit to one of these villages, Gadmen, before the road reopened and found a community taking the situation in its stride. Pointing at the steep snow-laden mountainside directly above the Bernese Oberland village, Branka Reimann says the villagers are still waiting nervously for the whole slope to give way. “That’s where it…

Progress made in avalanche control

This content was published on Feb 7, 2003 Researchers said the results were due to better methods of avalanche control and protection. The study, released in November, said measures such as roadside barriers had contributed to the lower figures, as well as other protective methods, notably better management of forests. The institute said progress had also been made in preparing for avalanches in…

Space – the final resting place?

This content was published on Feb 7, 2003 However, there are a raft of stranger and more colourful ways of storing human ashes. One alternative to the urn would be shooting remains into the moon’s orbit or into space. This option, offered by the United States business Celestis, does not come cheap, though, with a price-tag of $12,500 (SFr16,870). Celestis can also launch…

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Archive – Science

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Swiss regain upper hand in time measurement

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Cannabis film to tour Swiss schools

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The Magglingen Declaration

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US students in Switzerland call for peace

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Brainwave technology offers new hope for disabled

More

“King” of Stonehenge may have been Swiss

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Switzerland fails on children’s rights

More

Mountain village digs itself out

More

Progress made in avalanche control

More

Space – the final resting place?

Popular Stories

Most Discussed